Ideation tools and AI

Artificial intelligence, AI is set to change the ways people work. What, then the implications for design, and ideation in particular? Pen and paper, say, the typical sketchbook, have long seen a decline relative to computer hard- and software. While the programmable computer was inititated in the Second World War,  AI, a term coined in the 1950s, is a system that combines computer science with robust datasets to enable problem-solving based on the abstract essence of mathematical reasoning where everything is digital and quantitative. The power of AI, then, lies in its ability to continuously improve with more data, dramatically exceeding human performance, for single-domain tasks - power based on easier access to massive volumes of data, development of high efficiency computer processors, and advancement in machine learning techniques. Accordingly, AI, in conjunction with robots have the potential to take over the manufacturing, delivery, and marketing of most goods and services. But while such forecasting typically apply to data-driven industries, say, construction, transport or financial services it may overlook problem-solving in the design field that is not necessarily a single-domain or quantitative task based on datasets. Moreover, such datasets are not impartial or value free. That is, data is interpretive all the way down, shaped by what is collected, how it’s collected and for what purpose. AI-driven ideation, then, based on digitised data, might underestimate the role design ideation plays in addressing human needs in a much broader sense, including purposeful play - needs that, moreover may compete or be in conflict with each other. Ideation, then, cannot be left to computing alone but rather embrace a range of tools, both analogue and digital that facilitate, mediate and reflect on the meaning of design as a social and cultural activity. In short, activity that encourage creativity, self-expression and constructive problem-solving. Reference: Lee K. & Quifan C  (2021), AI 2041, Ten Visions for Our Future.